2:1 – Austria’s women’s soccer team celebrates its first Nations League victory

Austria’s women’s national soccer team achieved its first victory in the Nations League at the third attempt. After a difficult start, the Austrians beat Portugal 2-1 (0-0) in Altach on Friday thanks to a convincing second half.

An own goal (63rd) and a goal from Barbara Dunst (69th) brought three points and thus significantly improved chances of staying in the top League A. Portugal’s goal came too late (96th).

The Austrians now have four points ahead of the second leg against the Portuguese on Tuesday (7.15 p.m./live ORF Sport+) in Povoa do Varzim. They moved into second place in Group 2 before the end of the parallel game between Norway and league leaders France.

The 4,800 spectators in the sold-out Cashpoint Arena in Altach (standing room not permitted) were the second highest attendance at an ÖFB women’s home international match after the 10,051 fans who were last there at the end of September against France (0-1) in Vienna.

ÖFB team boss Irene Fuhrmann changed her starting eleven in two positions compared to the record game. Liverpool legionnaire Marie-Therese Höbinger played in the attacking midfield, while Eileen Campbell replaced Viktoria Pinther, who had an ankle injury, as the solo leader. The 23-year-old local hero from SPG Altach/Vorderland stormed from the start for the first time in her eighth international match. Katharina Naschenweng moved back to the right side of defense, Katharina Schiechtl had to go to the substitutes’ bench.

The agile Portuguese, number 19 in the world rankings, three positions behind Austria, got off to a powerful start. Top striker Jessica Silva appeared alone in front of Manuela Zinsberger after just 37 seconds, but was denied by the ÖFB goalkeeper.

Austria’s defense had its hands full in the first half, but also made life difficult for itself with passing errors. Francisca Nazareth hit the side netting (24th) and rolled the ball past the far corner a little later (25th). Jessica Silva, who was initially outstanding, shot over the goal (28th).

The Austrians were lucky to go into the break with a score of 0-0. After the break they were significantly better in the game. Warning shots from Dunst (48th) and Höbinger (50th) did not find their target. Laura Feiersinger missed the first big ÖFB chance: Campbell had set up for the AS Roma legionnaire, but she shot past the left corner (57′). Three minutes later, Portugal’s goalkeeper Patricia Morais had to stretch a lot when Dunst shot.

Frankfurt legionnaire Barbara Dunst shone

The reward came in the 63rd minute: Morais parried a header from Sarah Zadrazil after Dunst’s cross, and the following clearance attempt from Ana Seica hit her teammate Catarina Amado on the back and jumped from there into the goal. The ÖFB women stayed on the trigger and upped the ante. After Höbinger’s preparatory work, Dunst crowned her strong performance with a remarkable shot from just outside the penalty area that made it 2-0. For the 26-year-old from Eintracht Frankfurt it was the eleventh goal in her 72nd international match.

Portugal pushed for the next goal in the finish. Substitute Telma Encarnacao hit the crossbar (81′), Tatiana Pinto shot a shot next to the goal (83′). Practically with the final whistle, Tatiana Pinto scored with a header. The Austrians still won the third competitive duel with Portugal and achieved a 4-3 win overall against the “Selecao das Quinas”. The Portuguese recently defeated Norway 3-2 and were at the World Cup in the summer.